[Free Video] Preview The Art Behind The Headshot With Peter Hurley

The response Peter Hurley's downloadable tutorial The Art Behind The Headshot has been receiving over the last few months has been unbelievable. Peter's technique has changed the way so many photographers approach working with models, and it's apparent by his facebook group that photographers of all skill levels are taking the best headshots in their portfolios.

So we have decided to release one free lesson from the DVD for those of you who might still be on the fence. Peter's knowledge is expensive sure, but it's guaranteed to change the way you shoot headshots for the rest of your career. We believe in this so much that if you don't think your headshots are any better after watching 4 hours of Peter's instructions we will give you your money back guaranteed!

This is just a small 20 minute sample from the full 4 hour DVD. Peter talks about many of these techniques in more detail and reveals other helpful tips during his personal interviews and during the 7 real client sessions. Although Peter does cover some basic camera and lighting techniques, the most important information will be useful to those already comfortable with their own gear and camera settings. Here are some of the topics covered in The Art Behind The Headshot:

Yeah Peter has been speaking at BH a lot lately so def check him out if you get a chance. He doesn't talk much about what "really" makes his headshots looks good but he does talk a lot about the gear he uses and the idea of making people look good through coaching. If you want the real dirty secrets you gotta sign up for his Intensive or get the DVD

We have thought about that option. But if you took Peter's weekend intensive for $1500, you too are paying for the knowledge not a specific product. Peter and FS have figured that the knowledge is worth this premium price not owning a file.

The DVD was very informative. Thank you for posting it.
I am surprized though, with Hurley's experience, at the amount of times he had the client in a feminine position ...head tilted towards the the shoulder that is towards the camera.

it's tough to understand how an 'awkward' position can look good until you see the final image. Most of it has to do with even eyes, strong jawlines, and interesting mouth expressions. Trust me, when I was in front of Peter's camera I felt awkward as hell in a strange position...but then I saw the final image and realized how great it all looked cropped in tight.

Its not so much the awkwardness of a pose (from the clients perspective) that I am commenting on. Its more feminine vs masculine pose/positions. Females can do both. Males, when comparing the two positions, should be presented in the masculine pose. If not, he will appear too soft/weak/femine.

Do you have an example? I'm not sure any of Peter's male headshots would come across as "feminine" but Peter is very conscience of giving his clients "range" which means one look is soft and approachable (sensitive nice guy), one is tough badass, another is mysterious and sexy, while another might be intriguing or skeptical. I think he gets a few different looks out of Andrew in this segment and the final photos from the full session covered everything he could every play a role for.

Patrick.
I actually agree with your observation of the work he did for Andrew in the video. I'm a classical portraitist by training/experience. Whenever I'm directing my male clients with regards to posing and I catch a male in a feminine position I will always show them the difference.
This is how I do it .... (you could try this looking at a mirror ...the mirror would be the camera position) ...have one shoulder closer to the mirror, it does matter whether it is higher or lower then the 'back' shoulder. Tilt your head away from the mirror (back shoulder) ....masculine pose. Now tilt just your head towards the mirror ....voila ...feminine pose.
Examples: the FS staff shots on the right ... although they are very small, from what is shown (shoulders &amp; head) ....Patrick ~fem'n, Lee~mas'cln, Jerrit~masc(?), Lauren~fem'n, Kenn~n/a, Jaron~fem'n, Sean~mas'cln ....etc
To clarify ....I'm only commenting on the different poses.

Not judging anyone here but honestly, people are paying thousands of dollars in GEAR but they can't invest 300$ for themselves in training. I always find it strange that people are ready to pay thousands of dollars in better gear but they don't get better pictures or anything BUT they would realize that one lens less a year but training and your pictures will improve big time! :)

I'm sure Zach Arias, Chase Jarvis, Joe McNally, they still get trained once in a while even if they are on top of things...

Hey guys! Just purchased the DVD's and I must say after watching part 1, I could not be happier with the purchase. I know that there has been some flack regarding the *steep $300 dollar price tag but you can't put a price on knowledge. How many of us have payed 3 times that much for a lens that doesn't make any difference in our pictures. What Peter Hurley is teaching you to do is help clients get to a state where they will create incredible pictures. Pictures that will help them get casted are images they will cherish because they have never looked as amazing as they do in the image you captured with them. Everyone has nice more than adequate cameras and lenses for creating stunning images, not everyone has the ability to build relationships with their clients. It is easy to pay for a new lens of camera body and think that will help you improve your work (not that anyone will admit to falling victim to that idea), it is much harder to plunk down $300 hard earned dollars to essentially retrain yourself with practice and hard work using these principles.

For anyone who thinks that this is set is over priced, I also own David Hobby's set and I can say with 100% confidence that at twice the price I would rather own The Art Behind the Headshot. This is a polished production where I have learned more in two hours than than I have in the last two years, no joke. I am totally fine with nobody purchasing this however, My bank account and I will be very happy if everybody else thinks the price is to steep!

Thank You Peter, Patrick and Lee. You guys knocked it out of the park!